Carpenter&#39;s square.



No. 686,240. Patented Nov. 5, 190i. D. B. WHITEHILL.

. CA RPENTERS SQUARE.

(Application filed. Oct. 22, 1898.)

(No Model.)

j lllllllllll UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID B. VVI-IITEI-IILL, OF NORTH CLARENDON, PENNSYLVANIA.

CARPENTERS SQUARE.

srncrrronrron forming part of Letters Patent No. 686,240, dated November 5, 1901 I I Application filed October 1898. Serial No. 694,324. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID B. WHITEHILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at North Clarendon, in the county of Warren and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Carpenters Square, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in carpenters or similar squares, whereby the same may be securely fastened in position while the mark is being made on the timber.

Heretofore in the use of carpenters squares it has sometimes been diflicult and inconvenient for the carpenter to hold the square with one hand while the mark is being made with the other hand, and under some conditions it is almost impossible to prevent the square from slipping or twisting outof position while the scribing takes place except by having one person hold the square while another person does the marking. This is especially true when a oarpenters square is. placed aga nst one end of a beam or timber to make the proper marks to correct the wind or twist and also when the square is placed flat on a board or other surface which may be slightly convexed v or uneven, so that the square will not lie perfectly flat. The present invention overcomes these difficulties in the use of an ordinary carpenters square by providing simple and efficient means for securely fastening the square in a fixed position while the necessary marks are being made.

With these and other objects in view, which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carpenters square equipped with the fastening means contemplated by the invention and shown applied to the flat surface of a board. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the fastening means for the square arrar ed to secure the same to one end of a beam or timber. Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of a carpenters square having apertures in its arms for the reception of the fastening devices contemplated by the present invention. Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective of a pair of the fas telling-buttons, showing the preferable means of coupling the same together.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates a carpenters or similar square of the usual L shape, having the separate right-angularly-disposed arms provided with the usual scales or graduations 3, and in the presentinvention the separate arms 2 of the square are provided with a longitudinal series of apertures or openings 4. The series of apertures or openings 4 in the arms of the square may extend the entire length of these arms in order that the square may be fastened in place in every conceivable position.

The longitudinal series of apertures or openings 4: in the arms 2 of the square are designed to cooperate with fastening-buttons 5, which constitute fastening means or devices for securing the square firmly in place when adjusted to a piece of board, timber, or other object to be marked off. A pair of the fastoning-buttons 5 are preferably used in connection with a square, and to prevent the buttons from becoming separated or lost the same are preferably coupled together by a flexible connection 6. This flexible connection may be a string, wire, or any equivalent means, and the opposite ends of said connection 6 are suitably secured, respectively, to the sep arate fastening-buttons 5. The length of the separable fastening connection 6 is sufficient so as not to interfere with the use of the buttons on the separate arms of the square, while at the same time being adapted to be thrown over a nail, beam, or other convenient support when the buttons are not in use.

Each fastening-button 5 essentially consists of a knob portion 6, rounded in a convenient shape to form a hand-grasp and also a head, which can be struck by the palm of the hand to force the button in place, and each fastening-button 5 is further provided at one end with a flat abutting shoulder 7 and a prong 8, projecting beyond said shoulder and adapted to pass through any one of the apertures or openings 4: in the arms of the square. When the square is to be secured in any po* sition to which it may be adjusted, the prongs 8 of the buttons are placed in the proper apertures or openings 4, and then by a blow on the knob portions 6 of the buttons the shoulders 7 will be carried against the face of the square and the prongs 8. into the wood. The said prongs are of a sufficient size to provide for securely holding the square, while at the same time not puncturing the board or beam with too large a hole.

In the use of the square when both arms thereof are placed flat on a board or the like the fastening-buttons may be fitted to the separate arms 2 of the square, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, and in other work where only one arm of the square rests against the object to be marked both buttons may be fitted in the said arm, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Of course the particular use of the square and the requirements of the work will dictate the proper position i the fastening-buttons.

While the invention is specially adapted for use in connection with a carpenters or similar square, it will be understood that the fastening means herein described could well be used with rules, triangles, or other drafting implements to provide means for holding the same in place while the mark is being drawn.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimedas new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

The combination with a carpenters square, having a longitudinal series of openings in each arm, of a fasteningdevice for retaining the square rigidly yet adjustably against the surface to be marked, said fastening device comprising a plurality of sharpened prongs extending entirely through a plurality of openings in the square, and designed to be forced into the surface to be marked, a button supporting each prong and comprising a flat shoulder or base, a rounded head and a reduced neck between the shoulder and head, and a flexible connector having a connection at its opposite ends with the necks of the buttons.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

DAVID B. WVI-IITEHILL. 

